Facial skin ageing: Key concepts and overview of processes.

INTRODUCTION: The face is a cosmetically sensitive region where the process of ageing is most clearly manifested. With increased focus on anti-ageing and longevity, more anti-senescent treatments are being proposed despite limited evidence. This study outlines the pathways and mechanisms underpinning the biological process of ageing in the face. METHODS: Comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and CINAHL from inception to 2020. Inclusion criteria included all empirical human research studies specific to facial ageing features, written in the English language. RESULTS: A total of 65 papers met inclusion criteria for analysis. Pathways were subdivided into intrinsic and extrinsic senescence mechanisms. Intrinsic pathways included genetics, generation of reactive oxygen species and hormonal changes. Extrinsic pathways included photoageing and damage to skin layers. The combined intrinsic and extrinsic pathway alterations result in wrinkles, higher laxity, slackness and thinning of the skin. Skin functions such as barrier immune function, wound healing, thermoregulation and sensory function are also impaired. CONCLUSION: The ageing process is unique to the individual and depends on the interplay between an individual's genetics and external environmental factors. Through understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms, an appreciation of the consequent structural and functional changes can be achieved. Based on this knowledge, further research can focus on how to slow or impede the ageing process and identify specific targets to develop and evolve new treatment strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Le visage est une zone du corps esthétiquement importante où le processus de vieillissement se manifeste particulièrement clairement. Avec l'attention croissante portée aux soins anti-âge et à la longévité, de plus en plus de traitements anti-sénescent sont proposés malgré des preuves d'efficacité limitées. Cette étude décrit les voies métaboliques et les mécanismes à la base du processus biologique de vieillissement du visage. MÉTHODES: Recherches exhaustives dans les bases de données bibliographiques MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library et CINAHL de leur création à 2020. Les critères d'inclusion comprenaient toutes les études empiriques spécifiques aux caractéristiques du vieillissement du visage chez l'Homme, rédigées en langue anglaise. RÉSULTATS: Un total de 65 articles répondait aux critères d'inclusion pour l'analyse. Les voies métaboliques ont été subdivisées en mécanismes de sénescence intrinsèques et extrinsèques. Les voies intrinsèques comprennent la génétique, la génération de dérivés réactifs de l'oxygène et les changements hormonaux. Les voies extrinsèques comprenaient le photovieillissement et les dommages causés aux couches de la peau. Les altérations combinées des voies intrinsèque et extrinsèque entraînent des rides, une laxité plus importante, un relâchement et un amincissement de la peau. Les fonctions cutanées telles que la fonction de barrière immunitaire, la cicatrisation, la thermorégulation et la fonction sensorielle sont également altérées. CONCLUSION: Le processus de vieillissement est unique à l'individu et dépend de l'interaction entre la génétique d'un individu et les facteurs environnementaux externes. La compréhension des mécanismes moléculaires et cellulaires permet d'appréhender les changements structurels et fonctionnels qui en découlent. Sur la base de ces connaissances, la recherche peut se concentrer sur les moyens de ralentir ou d'entraver le processus de vieillissement et identifier des cibles spécifiques pour élaborer et développer de nouvelles stratégies de traitement.

Complications of Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin A Injections to the Upper Face: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections are a popular non-surgical procedure for facial rejuvenation. Its increase in popularity and utilization is met with limited regulations, potentially posing a significant risk to patient safety and public health. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to assess the safety profile of cosmetic glabellar and forehead BoNT-A injections and evaluate BoNT-A type on complication rate. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed for studies reporting complications after cosmetic BoNT-A in the glabellar or in the forehead region in the glabellar or in the forehead region. A random effects meta-analysis was carried out to assess complication rate. Where there were sufficient randomized-controlled trials, a network meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of 556 identified articles, 24 were included in the final quantitative analysis, with 4268 BoNT-A injection sessions and 1234 placebos. Frequently observed treatment-related complications in the BoNT-A intervention group included headache, local skin reactions, and facial neuromuscular symptoms. The overall BoNT-A complication rate was 16%. The odds ratio of developing complications from abobotulinum toxin injections compared with placebo was 1.62 (1.15, 2.27; P > 0.05) and that from onabotulinum toxin injections compared with placebo was 1.34 (0.52, 3.48; P > 0.05). In 30% of the studies, the injectors were doctors, whereas the training status of the practitioner was not reported in the remaining 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Cosmetic BoNT-A injections in the glabellar and forehead region appear to be safe, and most complications are mild and transient. Nevertheless, the literature demonstrates heterogeneous reporting of complications and a lack of consistency of the definition of treatment-related complications.

The treatment of symptomatic fat necrosis: A review and introduction of a new treatment algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: Fat necrosis (FN) is a well-known complication in plastic surgery. Excision of symptomatic FN has been the gold standard, but it often results in contour irregularities that require subsequent treatment. Different alternative surgical and nonsurgical management strategies have been described; however, there are currently no guidelines. This literature review aims to provide an overview of available treatment options and current management standards to support clinical decision making. METHOD: A literature search in the databases PubMed, Embase (via Ovid), and Web Of Science was carried out to identify eligible articles. The search strategy included combinations of the following terms: "Fat necrosis "AND (treatment OR management OR therapy). Six articles discussing or reporting management strategies of FN in a plastic surgery context were included. RESULTS: A variety of techniques were used to manage symptomatic FN. Asymptomatic or small lesions can be treated conservatively. Oil cyst and moderately sized areas of symptomatic FN can effectively be treated by aspiration, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, or needle aeration. Calcified and large areas of FN require excision and debridement of necrotic fat tissue CONCLUSION: At present, there is no consensus on the management of symptomatic FN. The authors propose a new classification system to aid the guidance of management of symptomatic FN.

How to measure success in lower extremity reconstruction, which outcome measurements do we use a systematic review and metanalysis.

Different factors have to be considered and weighted in the treatment algorithm of lower extremity reconstruction. A combination of both clinicians' and patients' perspectives is necessary to provide a conclusive picture. Currently, there aren't any standardized and validated measurement data sets for lower extremity reconstructions. This makes it necessary to identify the relevant domains. We, therefore, performed a systematic review and metanalysis of outcome measurements and evaluated their ability to measure outcomes after lower extremity reconstruction. A systematic review and metanalysis according to the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses' protocol were performed for studies reporting at least one structured outcome measurement of lower extremity reconstruction. Both Patient (PROMs)- and Clinician reported outcome measurements (CROMs)were analyzed. Of the 2827 identified articles, 102 were included in the final analysis. In total 86 outcome measurements were identified, 34 CROMs, 44 PROMs and 8 (9.3%) outcome measurements that have elements of both. Twenty-four measure functional outcome, 3 pain, 10 sensations and proprioception, 9 quality of life, 8 satisfaction with the result, 5 measure the aesthetic outcome, 6 contours and flap stability and 21 contain multidomain elements. A multitude of different outcome measurements is currently used in lower extremity reconstruction So far, no consensus has been reached on what to measure and how. Validation and standardization of both PROMs and CROMs in plastic surgery is needed to improve the outcome of our patients, better meet their needs and expectations and eventually optimize extremity reconstruction by enabling a direct comparison of studies' results.

Complications of facial cosmetic botulinum toxin A injection: analysis of the UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency registry and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection is one of the most frequently undertaken procedures in aesthetic medicine. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the government body in the United Kingdom (UK) mandated to ensure that the provision and administration of medicines is safe. We analyzed adverse events of facial cosmetic BoNT-A injections reported to the MHRA and assessed whether the incidence of reported adverse events in this government registry is comparable to published retrospective and prospective studies. METHODS: A freedom of information (FOI) request was submitted to the MHRA to obtain recorded complications of BoNT- A. Complications reported to the MHRA between 1991 and 2020 were analyzed. Only cases with BoNT-A where the indication was specified as for facial cosmetics were included in the analysis. Additionally, the literature was reviewed on adverse events of facial cosmetic BoNT- A injections, and a statistical meta-analysis of complication rates was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 188 adverse events of aesthetic BoNT-A injections were reported to the MHRA. The literature search resulted in 30 studies and a total of 17,352 injection sessions, where the complication rate was 16% (95% CI = 8% to 25%). Frequent adverse events included localized skin reactions such as bruising with an incidence of 5% (95% CI = 3% to 7%), headache in 3% (95% CI = from 1% to 5% ), and facial paresis in 2% (95% CI = 1% to 3%) of injection sessions. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first paper to obtain and evaluate data on adverse events of BoNT-A from the MHRA. An estimate of the likely complication rate of aesthetic BoNT-A in the UK, according to the MHRA database, is significantly lower than the rate recorded from our meta-analysis of the international literature. This suggests that the MHRA may be underestimating the adverse events of aesthetic BoNT-A treatment, which would have implications for patient safety and informed consent. Therefore, legislative changes may be required to ensure more robust reporting of aesthetic BoNT-A in the UK.